Terrorism financing charges against a Central Visayas non-government organization have been dismissed by Branch 74 of the Cebu Regional Trial Court, the National Union of Peoples’ Lawyers (NUPL) on Monday announced.
The lawyers’ group said it welcomes the dismissal of charges against Community Empowerment Resource Network, Inc. (CERNET), its officers, and council members, describing the decision as a blow to the continuing weaponization of laws against activists and development organizations.
CERNET was charged with violations of the Terrorism Financing Prevention and Suppression Act (Republic Act No. 10168) for allegedly failing to prevent the delivery of ₱135,000 to the New People’s Army (NPA) in September 2012, only months after the law took effect on June 18, 2012.
NUPL said the court granted the Joint Motion to Dismiss, ruling that the Department of Foreign Affairs and the government only attempted to designate the NPA as a so-called terrorist organization on December 5, 2017.
The group noted that instead of complying with the law, the prosecution relied on foreign designations to supply the missing element for conviction.
“One of the essential elements of the offense was absent from the start. The case should never have been filed,” NUPL secretary general Josalee Deinla said.
One of the individuals accused, veteran development worker Estrella Catarata, expressed elation at the development.
“We are more than thankful to you all, Attorneys, for defending us, for how you worked together as one. Each one’s brilliance and commitment combined made it,” Catarata said in a Facebook post. # (Raymund B. Villanueva)
